Separation nut

ABSTRACT

A separation nut wherein a segmented, internally threaded nut is releasable from a mating threaded male element, such as a stud or bolt as a consequence of fluid pressure applied to the separation nut. The nut includes a plurality of nut segments which are grouped around a central axis of joinder, and which are held in position to receive the male threaded element by a pair of axially shiftable latch members which are movable in opposite directions relative to each other for unlatching the segments and enabling them to be released from the threaded element. The latch members are actuated by substantially equal and opposite forces, whereby a minimum of unbalanced force is applied to surrounding structures by the separation forces. Optionally, a sequentially operating expulsion device may be provided in the separation nut to eject the threaded element after unlatching has taken place.

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UNITED PATENTS v v "mum tam-n Peterson v. 851mg. LN!!! M1953 Minchw r. ISII NR' "i- -.t.4iis.su3 liiiwhti 'it imlvnwnnufln J's/.13 3.4mm; ,tmumt Muclteyetul IIiSIJihX [FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 21mm: :m'oit ('zlmldil K5133 11 .008- =flll9$$ Great Britain 85/33 lnyentur; atesmrcu mcau'r. I

me-C .ni m. Calif.

Q Ill 331338 J 7 1.

Primary Mariner-Ram s. Britt: Ammy. 43cm. ur.-!-irm-Domld D. v

' Y mt thinner-a A separation nut wherein" a sewentedhinternaliy threaded nut is reieaabie l'mm'l matin; threaded male clement. sucha a stud or bolt as aconsequence of fluid pressure applied to the nut. The nut inciudes a plurality of nut segrnentiwhich ar'egrouped around a central axis ofjoinder. andzwhich lr'e-held in position to receive the male threaded elemenl by a .pair of axielly shiftabie lateh tire mowable in opposite direeti'qns to each ether for unlatchin; the segments and enabiinpthem to be reieawd from the threaded clement. Tl'helat'eh members I v are actuated bfmhs'tantiaily equalfand opposite i'orces, whereby a minimum oi unblianced force is applied to surrounding structures by the separation forces. Optionaily. a sequentially operating expulsion device may he'pmi ided in the'seperation nut to eject the threaded element aficr unlatching has taken place.

zacugomui n m t summit NUT This invention relates to a separation nut of the type which is mechanically attachable to an extemallv threaded element. and which can he released therefrom h) the exertion of fluid under pressure.

Separation nuts for the aforesaid intended purpose are generally known from the following United States patents issued to William R. Dickie. as follows Explosive Separahle Segmental Nut including Key and Splint: Mean. US. Pat No 3.l2tl.l-W. issued Feb. 4. WM, Explosive Separahlc Nut. L' 5. Pat No. 3.l7ll.3b3. issued Fel 25. W65, EIPIGMVC Scparahle Nut. US. Pat. No 3.l7h.573. Issued Apr. 6. I965. and Method of Producing Separahlc Nut. l 5. Pat. No. 3.268.928. issued Aug 30. with Separation nuts are often released (unlatchedt by fluid pressure from explosive charges. A well known example of a fluid pressure source of this type is shown in [15. Pat. No. 3.!35300. issued to (harlcs HJJnclt son on June I. tun-t. entitled "Squib." ()fcourse. fluid sources other than explosives ma be utilized. hut squihs have the substantial advantage that the can he small ll't hulk compared to the \olumc of games which the generate. may be self-contained. and do not rcquire auxiliary equ pment such as hydraulic or pneumatic pumps and reservoirs A dtsadt antagc tn the prior art separation nut dCHCcS resides in the fact that the separation occurs as a conse quence of unidirectional or otherwise imbalanced forces l'ttfh cause .1 lion to be exerted on the sur rounding mechanisms lispeciall Milt? delicate ll'ltilftt' mention and the like is supported h surrounding struc- .turc. it would he better to avoid such flows.

It is an ohtect of this invention to prmtdt. a separat tron nut wherein the applied separation forces are sul stanttall equal and opposite. vshcrch if an mechamcal shock is ctertcd on the hul'lt tllltltllll structure. is at least greatly minimized.

Another disadvantage of the prior art is that ctpulsion means. uhcn pr vided. t.\pt:l\ thc threaded element at the same time as the nut segments are on latched As a consequence. there may he some transfer of shock force to surrounding structures. It is an ob ect of this invention to provide a sequentially timed expulsion means which operates only after the separation of the nut segments from the threaded element is substantiallt complete A separation nut according to this invention has an am of pander and includes a body which-has an inner wall which defines a cavity. A plurality of nu segments are disposed in the cavity and are grouped around this 3 axis Each segment has an inner surface and an outer surface There is a-thread fragment on each inner surface and hen the segments are so grouped. the thread fragments all lie on the path of it reference thread. Each fragment tlltflld t for no more than ttttt degree-t around said anus A pair of latch surfaces is provided on the outer surface of each of the regiments. and a release recm lies hetwcen the latch surfaces at each segment Therelem men has a bottom wall which lies clotcr to the am than the latch writ-ices A pair of separate hitch memheo are fitted til the Go t!) between the inner wall and the outer aurfacea of tltc cgfltt't'tm. and are manually rrmtnhle therein A latch airfare is provided on each of the latch members which can he moved he tween a locked position wherein ll beam against a refill spectivelatchsurfaceonasepnenhmdareleamdposition in which it overhangs the relele recess. The latch members make a fluid tealin; 'slid'mg fit in chamher means inthc body. whereby introduction of fluid under sufficient pressure into the chamber means against oppisitcly facing faces of the latch members will simultaneously move the too latch memhers from their latched to their released partitions. the latch metn hens being oppositely directed so that they move in op- POStlt? directions relative to each other. Their crosswcrion areas are substantially equal. and therefore there is no substantial net force exerted on the nut by them at the time of separation.

According to a preferred but optional feature of the invention. an expulsion plunger is slidahly fitted in the bod so that it will he moved to expel the threaded element from the separation nut when the nut segments are released from it. the plunger being exposed to the same fluid pressure which actuates the latch. but scqucntiall so. in order that it does not apply a force to expel the threaded element until after the nut segments are suhstantiall completely unlatched.

The above and other features of this invention will he full understood from the following detailed description and the accornpan tmg drawings in which.

HG. l is an anal cross-section of the presently prc (erred cmhodimnt of the invention in its threaden'gaging Hatched! configuration;

Fit). 2 is a view similar to that of HO 1 with the separation nut in its separated (released) condition.

MG. 3 is a fragmentary axial cross-section showing an optional portion of the invention hcfore actuation of the separation nut.

Flfl 4, is a vicu similar to FIG 3 after actuation of the marathon nut.

NC- 5 is a cross-section taltcn at line S-5 of HG. l.

Hti h is a fragrnentar new of a portion of HG. 2 taken at line 6-4 thcrcin.

PK} 7 is a fragmcntan cross-section taken at line 7---7 of FIG. I. r

FIG 8 IS a top view of one of the nut segments; and

HO 9 is a side elevation partly in cutaway crosssection showing the presently preferred embodiment of the invention completing a structural joint In HG. I there is shown a separation out If) accord ing to the invention. The out includes a body II which is formed of three principal portions a first end memher l2. :1 second end member 13. and a central member Millie central member l4 includes threads l5. l6. which match similar threads on the tvvcnend members so that they may be gained together. Wrench engaging racemes l7 are formed on end member 12 and wrench engaging recesses 18 are formed in member I. so that the two end members can he tightly threaded to the central member to amenable the body. Circular seals tO-nngnl W. in are provided between the centre! mertther and the end members the members l2. l3 and l form an internal cavity 23. 'lltis cavity has an inner wall Mt which includes first and second cylinders 2 28. a patrol retenttrm grooves I l. m. A cant surface 3!. 32 in contiguous to each ol' retention gt ttwtrft 2% 36. respectively flu/clam WW faces 33 and M are Formed on the inner wall of'the cat itft The cylinders. retention grooves. and cam surfaces are coaxial around an axis of joinder 35 which is the axis around which threads and nut segments yet to be described are also concentric.

First and second end members l2 and I3 hear respectire cylinders 36. 37 which also are coaxial around thcaxts ol minder 35. Two latch members 40. 4| are placed between cylinders 27 and 36. and Zlland 37. re specttvely Sliding ring scabs d2. 43. 4-8. and 45 respec' tively make a hlidl'llg fluid wailing fit between the cylindrical surfaces tcylinders) and the latcltmemhers to: shown. Snap rings 46. 47 ("yteldahle retainer mearut! are seated in face gnxwes 48. 49. in latch members 60 and 4|. respectively The map rings have a radial dimenion which is shown erttcally in FIG. I which is no greater thanthe rad al depth of the face grooves. The

perimeter of the snap ring nee FIG 7! it no greater thanthat of the greatest diameter of the groove so that the snap ring can he compresaed entirely into the face groote When It in in its locked latched condition as thown in H l..the inherent 'prtngtness ol the snap ring causes snap rings 46 and 47 to spring out into re tcntton grootcs 29 and 30. respcetnely. so as to hold the latch memher m the aually 'tpaced-apart p-t'istttom illustrated In FIG I.

Latch mcmhem 40 and Jl each hear latch surface. 50. respectt ely. and their fipacmg from the. outside wall 52. $3 of the respectne latch urfaces IS such that they will cause a latch or locltlng relationship which will 'lurthcr be described below Rcliefx 54. 55 are formed in latch mem ers and 4] .may from the center' of the de -tce. as shown Ill Ht; 1. latch mem ers MI and 4| h-t c respective end laces 54a and 55a against which llutd pres ure l.\ etcrted to mow the latch rncam from their latched to their released pm: llt t The latch members may preferably he ring-shaped and conttnuoi. and the regent formed betneen the ctlinden Hand 36. and 28 and 37. rapec'toel v to lltc left of latch member 40 Ill l'l(i l and to the right ol latch member 4| in H6 l are sometime-t herein called chamhen 5b. 57. laflflltflllll\ called chamber mean? respectively 'l'hcae cham ers are annular. being formed between concentric cylindrical cylinders. and a portion of each latch member makes a sliding fluid sealing fit in its res'peetiiechamber. or portion of a chamber 'lhc O-rtngs function .L\ sliding seals A pressure manifold 58 ts formed In the central member l4. lt comprise a drilled hole that is closed at its end surface the plug 59. This manifold is side-tapped by a pair of ports Ml. bl (H0 5! which are threaded to receive squthtt b2. 63 of the type shown in the aforesaid Jackson patent. or instead to be connected to any other iullilhlt' murce of fluid under pre tsure for actuation of the arparatton nut Pzmages M. 65 interconnect the chambers 56 and 57 with the manifold Paasages M and 155 are somcttmer. called pressure passage mean" They are to downed and arranged a. to transmit l'lunl under premiere in oppmttely facing face't of the latches an arin mm: the latches tn oppmtte directions In the example given. they are Introduced to the two mm be $4: and and more the latch mcanst together here th latch memherr are to move apart from one another, a single chamber would time been prouded between them and preetture applied therein mmme them apart from one another ffllltdllnrt of wutl'tcrent prerrure in the manifold trill cam-t: the latch member.

to move toward the center line 66 of the device which is to say they will not move in the samedirection as each other. acting as sliding pistons in their respective chambers.

A plurality of nut segments. in this case three nut se ments 70. 7!. 72. are grouped around axis of joinder 35. Each of these segments extends for no more than Httf around the axis ol'joindcr. and preferably less. For example. each of the three segments as shown, extends for less than I20". because there will be gaps 73a. 74a. 7&1 tl-lfi. 5) between them. the thickness of which is emphasized for purposes of diaclosure in the drawings. Segments 70. 7], and 72 have outer surfaces 73!). 74b. 75b Becawc the segments are all alike. only segment will he described to detail. Its outer surface 73! (FIGS 1 and 8t ha a pair of latch surfaces 74, which are spaced apart by a release recess 76 whose bottom 77 extends radially from the axis of poinder to a lesser distance than the latch surfaces i.e.. it is closer to the axis than the respective latch surfaces. The latch surfaces comprise fragments of cylinders. and the release recess has shoulders 78. 79 which hound I15 opposite edges contiguous to the latch surfaces. At the free edges 80. 8! of the segment. there are formed notches 82. 83 "notch means") The purpose of these notches l5 to engage respective splines 85 1"spline means"). 86. 8'7. As a rewlt. the segments are angularly held relative to one another. Each of nut segments 70. 7|. and 72 has an inner surface 90. 9|. 92 which again will be described only in connection with segment 70. The inner surface includes a pair of retention groo es 94. 95. and a fragment We of a thread Each of the fragments is of the same reference thread. so that when they are grouped :1 shown in FIG I. the threads he on the path or track of the same thread. In fact it is best practice to form the three segments from a single. already threaded cylindrical body by atlally slitting the body. thereby accurately forming the gaps and segments. 8ccau c the segments are intended to move radially outwardly rclatne to the am. of the totnder. the walls of the .xplinet and of the notches. are either parallel to one another or diverge outwardly "I order that the segment movement may be free and unobstructed.

The segmenut are held in their grouped position by the surrounding structure. and especially by the latch members 40 and 4|. lltey are biased outwardly relative to the latch members by a pair of etpanders 97. 98 (ctpander means"! which are respectively seated in retention groot'ert 9d and 95. When the segments are grouped. the retention grotwes of the segments are aligned. The erpanderzt comprise coil springs which have free ends and a spring diameter when free and an compreased that is greater than the nominal diameter of the retention grooves; when grouped as shown in H6 l. The coil springs when compressed thereby will exert an outwardly l iastng force on the segments hecauw they will tend to expand toward their free diameter when LflfllPl't-SMVC forcesare released from the grouped segments The segments bear against a face 99 of second end member l3. although it will he ohsen'cd that a certain amount of free anal play along axisoftoinder 35 is port cihle in this conttruction Emulation mean I05 is shown in FliiS. 3 and 4. This meant. comprises a plunger 106 which make sliding fluid treating fit with the inner wall of a cylinder lit? to the body The plunger Includes a patron 108 and a stem 7 amnion. but only in accordance with the scope (lflllc appended claims.

I claim.

I. A separation nut having an axis of joinder. comprising a body having an inner wall defining a cavity:

-.a. plurality of nut segments in said cavity and grouped 'around said axis of joindcr. an inner surface and an outer surface on each segment; a thread fragment on each nut segment. the fragments all comprising apart of a reference thread. whereby when the nut segments are grouped around the axis of oinder. their tread segmerits lie on the path of said reference thread. each segmerit extending for no more than H t)" around said axis. a pair of latch surfaces on the uter surface of each of tion in which the latch surface of the latch member overhangs the release rcceia. chamber means in said body in which a portion of each of tittld latch membcn makes a sliding fluid sealingf'it. pressure passage means enter ng the chamber means so .is to communicate with oppositely facing faces of the latch members. whereby introduction of fluid under sufficient prcseture in the said chamber means will simultaneously more the latch members in opposite atial directions from their latched to their released position. the cross-$cction area of the latch members exposed to raid fluid being substantially equal 2.. A separation nut according'to claim 1 in which the latch members are both continuous rings. and in which the chamber means is annular. the latch members car rying sliding will. illlCll contact the latch members and contact ith the aforesaid cylinders 4. A separation nut according to claim I in which a pair of retention grooves is provided in the inner wall M and in which yicldnhlc retainer means carried by the :lzitch member-t yieldinglyholds the latch members in their hitched position by engagement in a respective re t'enlion groove 5., A separation nut according to the claim 4 in which the reta ner means comprises snap rings separation nut according to claim I in which e tpande'r means u fitted inside the gr uped segments. bearing against the same and tending to bias them to a U radially outer positi n 7. 'A, separation not according to claim 6 in which "said eiipander means comprises a coil spring whore di arnzter when the rpiin g is free and uncompressed is greater than that Mitch it annuities when the segments are grouped U. A separation out according to claim l in which spline meanr o formed on the body engaiacnblc with notch meant in the nut segments to hold them .in tu larly relative to one mother 9. A separation nut according to claim I in which eitpulsion means is provided iii-the body in axial ali|nment with the axis ofjoinder and opening into said cavity.

l0. nut according to claim 9 in which the separation means compri'sesa cylinder formed in the body. a plunger slidable in said cylinder. and passage means so disposed and arranged as to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure only after the latch members have moved from n latched position.

ll. A separation nut according to claim 6 in which spline means is formed on the body engagcable with notch means in the nut segments to hold them angulnrly relative to one another.

52. A. separation nut according to claim II in which expulsion means is provided in the body in axial alignment with the axis ofjoinder and opening into said cat-- no U. A separation out according to claim 12 in which the separation means comprises a cylinder formed in the body. a plunger slidable in said cylinder. and par-- rneans so disposed and arranged as to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure only after the latch members have moved from a latched position.

M. A separation nut according to claim I. in which the latch members are both continuous rings. and in which the chamber means is annular. the latch members carrying slidiin: seals which contact the latch members and the body l5. A separation out according to claim l4 in which the chamber means is bounded by concentric cylindrical cylinders. the latch members being ring-shaped and carrying fluid sealing sliding seals in contiguous sliding contact with the aforesaid cylinders.

lb. A separation out according to claim IS in which a pair of retention grooves is provided in the inner wall and in which yieldahle retainer means carried by the latch membcoyicldingly ltoldt-t the latch members in their latched position by engagement in a respective retention grooie B7. A separation not according to claim I in which said chamber means comprises a pair of chambers. one disposed adjacent to each of-the farthest apart ends of the latch members. and in which said pressure passage means enters each of said chambers whereby to introduce fluid tinder pressure substantially simultaneously to both chambers. and to move the latch members toward one another" lfl. A separation ntit according to claim I! in which the latch members are hithcontinuous rings. and in which the chamber means is annular. the latch memhcrs carrying sliding seals which contact the latch members and the body.

l). A separation not according to claim [7 in which a pair of retention grooves is provided in the inner wall and in which yieldable retainer means carried by the latch membcrsyicldingly holds the latch members in their latched position by engagement in a respective retention groove 20. A separation out according to churn I? in which expander itieans ni titted inside the grouped segments. hearing against the same and tending to hm them to a radially outer position 2!. A sicparntion not according to claim 30 in which and expander means comprises a coil spring whose fill" .irneter when the Wittt]? is free and uncomprcsr-cd is greater than that which it names when the segment 22. A separation not according to claim I! tn which expulsion 'means is provided inthc body in axial alignment with the axis ofjoindet and opening into said cavit 23. A separation not according to claim 22 in which l0 tlw separation was compr'nu a cylinder formed in tho body. a plunger slidablc in aid cylinder. and possagemeanswdisposedandanmpdutohcconnected to a source of fluid node: unsure only after the latch members have moved from a latched O Q 0 U I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 4 3,813,984

DATED June 4, 1974 INVENTOR(S) ERIC P, SELINDER It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below: 0 C01, 3, line 57, "mean" should read --means-- C01. 5, line 44, "to", second occurrence, should read -two-- C01. 7, line 6 (C1. 1, line 3), cancel "and" Q Col. 7, line 11 (C1. 1, line 8), "tread" should read --thread-- Col. 7, lines 14-15 (C1. 1, lines 11-12), cancel "of said" Col. 7, line 23 0 (Cl. 1, line 20), surfaces bear" should read -surface bears-- Signed and Scaled this sixteenth Day Of Sep tember 1975 O [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioneroj'Patenls and Trademarks 

1. A separation nut having an axis of joinder, comprising: a body having an inner wall defining a cavity; a plurality of nut segments in said cavity and grouped around said axis of joinder; an inner surface and an outer surface on each segment; a thread fragment on each nut segment, the fragments all comprising a part of a reference thread, whereby when the nut segments are grouped around the axis of joinder, their tread segments lie on the path of said reference thread, each segment extending for no more than 180* around said axis; a pair of latch surfaces on the outer surface of each of said segment; a release recess lying between the latch surfaces of each segment, the release recess having a bottom which lies closer to the axis than the latch surfaces on the respective segment; a pair of separate latch members in said cavity between said inner wall and the outer surfaces of said segments; a latch surface on each of said latch members, each of said latch members being axially slidable between a latched position in which its respective latch surfaces bear against a respective latch surface of a segment, and a released position in which the latch surface of the latch member overhangs the release recess; chamber means in said body in which a portion of each of said latch members makes a sliding fluid sealing fit; pressure passage means entering the chamber means so as to communicate with oppositely facing faces of the latch members, whereby introduction of fluid under sufficient pressure in the said chamber means will simultaneously move the latch members in opposite axiaL directions from their latched to their released position, the cross-section area of the latch members exposed to said fluid being substantially equal.
 2. A separation nut according to claim 1 in which the latch members are both continuous rings, and in which the chamber means is annular, the latch members carrying sliding seals which contact the latch members and the body.
 3. A separation nut according to claim 1 in which the chamber means is bounded by concentric cylindrical cylinders, the latch members being ring-shaped and carrying fluid sealing sliding seals in contiguous sliding contact with the aforesaid cylinders.
 4. A separation nut according to claim 1 in which a pair of retention grooves is provided in the inner wall and in which yieldable retainer means carried by the latch members yieldingly holds the latch members in their latched position by engagement in a respective retention groove.
 5. A separation nut according to the claim 4 in which the retainer means comprises snap rings.
 6. A separation nut according to claim 1 in which expander means is fitted inside the grouped segments, bearing against the same and tending to bias them to a radially outer position.
 7. A separation nut according to claim 6 in which said expander means comprises a coil spring whose diameter when the spring is free and uncompressed is greater than that which it assumes when the segments are grouped.
 8. A separation nut according to claim 1 in which spline means is formed on the body engageable with notch means in the nut segments to hold them angularly relative to one another.
 9. A separation nut according to claim 1 in which expulsion means is provided in the body in axial alignment with the axis of joinder and opening into said cavity.
 10. Separation nut according to claim 9 in which the separation means comprises a cylinder formed in the body, a plunger slidable in said cylinder, and passage means so disposed and arranged as to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure only after the latch members have moved from a latched position.
 11. A separation nut according to claim 6 in which spline means is formed on the body engageable with notch means in the nut segments to hold them angularly relative to one another.
 12. A separation nut according to claim 11 in which expulsion means is provided in the body in axial alignment with the axis of joinder and opening into said cavity.
 13. A separation nut according to claim 12 in which the separation means comprises a cylinder formed in the body, a plunger slidable in said cylinder, and passage means so disposed and arranged as to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure only after the latch members have moved from a latched position.
 14. A separation nut according to claim 13 in which the latch members are both continuous rings, and in which the chamber means is annular, the latch members carrying sliding seals which contact the latch members and the body.
 15. A separation nut according to claim 14 in which the chamber means is bounded by concentric cylindrical cylinders, the latch members being ring-shaped and carrying fluid sealing sliding seals in contiguous sliding contact with the aforesaid cylinders.
 16. A separation nut according to claim 15 in which a pair of retention grooves is provided in the inner wall and in which yieldable retainer means carried by the latch members yieldingly holds the latch members in their latched position by engagement in a respective retention groove.
 17. A separation nut according to claim 1 in which said chamber means comprises a pair of chambers, one disposed adjacent to each of the farthest apart ends of the latch members, and in which said pressure passage means enters each of said chambers whereby to introduce fluid under pressure substantially simultaneously to both chambers, and to move the latch members toward one another.
 18. A separation nut according to claim 17 in which the latch members are both continuous rings, And in which the chamber means is annular, the latch members carrying sliding seals which contact the latch members and the body.
 19. A separation nut according to claim 17 in which a pair of retention grooves is provided in the inner wall and in which yieldable retainer means carried by the latch members yieldingly holds the latch members in their latched position by engagement in a respective retention groove.
 20. A separation nut according to claim 17 in which expander means is fitted inside the grouped segments, bearing against the same and tending to bias them to a radially outer position.
 21. A separation nut according to claim 20 in which said expander means comprises a coil spring whose diameter when the spring is free and uncompressed is greater than that which it assumes when the segments are grouped.
 22. A separation nut according to claim 17 in which expulsion means is provided in the body in axial alignment with the axis of joinder and opening into said cavity.
 23. A separation nut according to claim 22 in which the separation means comprises a cylinder formed in the body, a plunger slidable in said cylinder, and passage means so disposed and arranged as to be connected to a source of fluid under pressure only after the latch members have moved from a latched position. 